💌 Korean Wedding Traditions
💍 Korean Weddings: A Blend of Tradition, Modernity, and Etiquette
Understanding the soul of Korean marriage, from 'Baek-nyeon-hae-ro' to the guest's envelope.
🌸 1. The Ultimate Blessing: Baek-nyeon-hae-ro
At every Korean wedding, you will hear the phrase "백년해로하세요" (Baek-nyeon-hae-ro-ha-se-yo). But what does it actually mean?
백년해로 (百年偕老):
- 백년 (Baek-nyeon): One hundred years (symbolizing a lifetime).
- 해로 (Hae-ro): Growing old together.
Meaning: "To live together for a hundred years and grow old as a happy couple." It is the highest blessing for a new union in Korean culture.
💰 2. Invited to a Korean Wedding? The Cash Guide
In Korea, physical gifts are rare. Instead, guests provide Chuk-ui-geum (축의금 - Congratulatory Money) in white envelopes. As of 2025-2026, due to inflation and rising buffet costs, the standards have shifted.
Current Cash Gift Standards:
- ₩50,000 (~$40): Only if you are not attending the meal or if the relationship is very distant.
- ₩100,000 (~$80): The "Standard" for coworkers and acquaintances if you attend the ceremony and meal.
- ₩150,000+: For close friends, family, or if you are bringing a guest (plus-one).
*Note: Avoid amounts starting with 4 (associated with bad luck). Odd numbers like 3, 5, 7, or 'full' numbers like 10 are preferred.
🏯 3. Planning a Traditional Wedding in Korea?
If you are an expat marrying a Korean local and wish to hold a Traditional Honrye (혼례), you're in luck! Several world-class cultural heritage sites offer wedding services for international couples.
Korea House (한국의 집)
Located in central Seoul, this is the most famous spot for high-end traditional weddings.
Visit Website →
Unhyeongung (운현궁)
A royal palace annex that offers a deeply authentic and historic atmosphere.
Visit Website →
🙇 4. Key Traditional Rituals You’ll See
- Paebaek (폐백): A private ceremony after the main wedding where the couple bows to parents and in-laws.
- Dates & Chestnuts: During Paebaek, parents toss these at the bride's dress. Dates symbolize sons, and chestnuts symbolize daughters.
- Hahm (함): A tradition where the groom's friends bring a box of gifts to the bride's house before the wedding—though this is fading in big cities.
👩🏫 Teacher Hoon's expert Tips
If you're attending a wedding, arrive at least 30 minutes early. This is the time to hand over your cash envelope at the desk and get your "Meal Coupon" (sik-kwon). The ceremony itself is often short (20-30 min), as the main focus for many Korean guests is catching up over the buffet meal! For more survival tips, visit our Ultimate Guide to Living in Korea 2026.
🚀 Master Korean Ceremonial Etiquette
Invited to a wedding or feeling overwhelmed by social rules? Let's practice the specific greetings and formal Korean you'll need to shine! Book a 1:1 "Cultural Mastery" session with Hoon on italki today.
Master Etiquette with HoonUpdated: December 24, 2025 | Part of the "Mastering Korean Social Life" Series.
